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Jesus Christ is NOT God's criterion for election?!

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atpollard

Well-Known Member
In the course of a thread in this forum, a couple of brethren asserted that Jesus Christ is not God's criterion for election (I didn't say "salvation", I said "election").
If I understood their position correctly, it's something like this:
We don't know what is God's criterion for electing someone; that criterion is a mystery.
God elects someone unto salvation from eternity past, and then saves that person in time through Jesus Christ.
That is, you weren't chosen unto salvation because of Christ, but Christ is the one who works out your salvation by justifying you and ushering you into heaven.
That is, Christ is simply God's means of effecting the salvation, but not the cause for your being chosen unto salvation.
I wanted to know if all Calvinists here agree with this view, or is it only the view of those two men?
That’s Arianism, Patrick!

Jesus Christ IS God.
 

Dave G

Well-Known Member
To answer the counsel of his own will is a non-answer.
It's the Scriptural answer.
It simply kicks the can further down the road: what criterion was that counsel based on to choose someone?!
Exodus 33:19.
Romans 9:14-18.
The question in this thread is, who else agrees that Jesus Christ is not God's criterion for election?
I do.

I maintain that the good pleasure of His will is the criterion...not His Son or His Son's will.
His Son is only given those who are chosen by His Father ( John 6:65, John 17:2 ).

All according to the good pleasure of His Father's will.;)
 

Aaron

Member
Site Supporter
In the course of a thread in this forum, a couple of brethren asserted that Jesus Christ is not God's criterion for election (I didn't say "salvation", I said "election").
If I understood their position correctly, it's something like this:
We don't know what is God's criterion for electing someone; that criterion is a mystery.
God elects someone unto salvation from eternity past, and then saves that person in time through Jesus Christ.
That is, you weren't chosen unto salvation because of Christ, but Christ is the one who works out your salvation by justifying you and ushering you into heaven.
That is, Christ is simply God's means of effecting the salvation, but not the cause for your being chosen unto salvation.
I wanted to know if all Calvinists here agree with this view, or is it only the view of those two men?
:Roflmao

Though Calvinism has some sorry apologists on this board (no bad ones in this thread thus far), I don't think you're accurately representing what Calvinist's have told you.

You've been told by more than one in this thread that God's will is the only condition for election. And though you find it inadequate, that's the answer God has given. And though you and others rail against what you're calling determinism, let your first birth be a clue. What did you contribute to your first birth? How much of your will was involved in that choice? What was God's criteria for bringing you, or, in a much less divine sense, allowing you, to be brought into existence in the first place—especially knowing whether or not you would choose salvation? You have no better answer than the counsel of His own will.

You weren't trusted with the event of your first birth, yet your second birth is wholly up to you?

Kick all you want. The Scriptural answer has been given.

Now, as to your criterion..

It sounds all faithful and holy for you to say Jesus Christ is the criterion, but what you really mean is that the criterion is one's presumed choice of Jesus. That's just a way of saying that God's election of you is based on some merit that you possess that another does not. If one chooses Christ, and another does not, one has done better than another. And if God is not the one that elected you to your choice, it only remains that you did better than another because you are better.

Praise you! :Thumbsup
 

MB

Well-Known Member
:Roflmao

Though Calvinism has some sorry apologists on this board (no bad ones in this thread thus far), I don't think you're accurately representing what Calvinist's have told you.

You've been told by more than one in this thread that God's will is the only condition for election. And though you find it inadequate, that's the answer God has given. And though you and others rail against what you're calling determinism, let your first birth be a clue. What did you contribute to your first birth? How much of your will was involved in that choice? What was God's criteria for bringing you, or, in a much less divine sense, allowing you, to be brought into existence in the first place—especially knowing whether or not you would choose salvation? You have no better answer than the counsel of His own will.

You weren't trusted with the event of your first birth, yet your second birth is wholly up to you?

Kick all you want. The Scriptural answer has been given.

Now, as to your criterion..

It sounds all faithful and holy for you to say Jesus Christ is the criterion, but what you really mean is that the criterion is one's presumed choice of Jesus. That's just a way of saying that God's election of you is based on some merit that you possess that another does not. If one chooses Christ, and another does not, one has done better than another. And if God is not the one that elected you to your choice, it only remains that you did better than another because you are better.

Praise you! :Thumbsup
What does the physical birth have to do with spirituality?. They are not similar. So why do you compare the spiritual with the physical.. Seems you try to show an impossible example. Babies don't remember being born yet I remember being saved. How about you do you remember when you were saved?
How did you find out you were saved since you had nothing to do with it.

Since your so knowledgeable about election can you prove you are elect with scripture?. Where does scripture say that we have to be elected to be saved. Are you Jewish? Because there is not one gentile in scripture that was ever called elect. What proof of election do you have?
MB
 

Iconoclast

Well-Known Member
Site Supporter
And you tell me i don't understand take a good look at your self.
MB
Mb
Let me ask you a question.
What if you do not understand?
Why do you discount this?
Your responses show you do not understand what is being taught. That does not mean you are a bad person. It means your understanding is defective.
Rather than explore it, you call names instead.
Evidently George thinks your responses are peachy keen.:Cautious
If you want, I can show why even though you say you do not believe what I say:Redface
 

MB

Well-Known Member
How is it that you think I don't understand? Is it because I do not accept Calvinism as truth? Should I say you don't understand because you don't believe that man can reject Salvation or accept it? Now you may not believe this yet you understand it don't you. You either accept it as truth or you don't this not a matter of understanding but is a matter of choice of what you accept as truth.
I am taught by the Holy Spirit not by what I read here.
MB
 

InTheLight

Well-Known Member
Site Supporter
Mb
Let me ask you a question.
What if you do not understand?
Your responses show you do not understand what is being taught. That does not mean you are a bad person. It means your understanding is defective.

#5.




Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk
 

Particular

Well-Known Member
#5 in my list of faulty arguments used by Calvinists is:

#5. YOU ARE NOT SMART ENOUGH TO UNDERSTAND THE DOCTRINES OF GRACE

What does your #19 signify?
You are silly, ITL.
It seems your list is your crutch for not engaging with scripture.
 

George Antonios

Well-Known Member
:Roflmao

Though Calvinism has some sorry apologists on this board (no bad ones in this thread thus far), I don't think you're accurately representing what Calvinist's have told you.

You've been told by more than one in this thread that God's will is the only condition for election. And though you find it inadequate, that's the answer God has given. And though you and others rail against what you're calling determinism, let your first birth be a clue. What did you contribute to your first birth? How much of your will was involved in that choice? What was God's criteria for bringing you, or, in a much less divine sense, allowing you, to be brought into existence in the first place—especially knowing whether or not you would choose salvation? You have no better answer than the counsel of His own will.

You weren't trusted with the event of your first birth, yet your second birth is wholly up to you?

Kick all you want. The Scriptural answer has been given.

Now, as to your criterion..

It sounds all faithful and holy for you to say Jesus Christ is the criterion, but what you really mean is that the criterion is one's presumed choice of Jesus. That's just a way of saying that God's election of you is based on some merit that you possess that another does not. If one chooses Christ, and another does not, one has done better than another. And if God is not the one that elected you to your choice, it only remains that you did better than another because you are better.

Praise you! :Thumbsup

Non-scriptural, more-royal-than-the-King, falsely-humble, sanctimoniousness. This kind of stuff is smoke in God's nose.

Point is: so far you all agree - Jesus Christ is not God's criterion for election.

To prop up your great humility, you all ascribe to a blasphemous doctrine that has God choosing you apart from Christ as the reason for the choice. So much for our Lord Jesus Christ having the preeminence in all things - he certainly doesn't have it in election! But at least you're humble!
Praise you for your great humility! :Thumbsup
 

InTheLight

Well-Known Member
Site Supporter
You are silly, ITL.
It seems your list is your crutch for not engaging with scripture.

No, my list is shorthand for describing Calvinist's cliched arguments about scripture, specifically #1, #2, and #3. Countless times Calvinists will argue some variation of these three points to lamely counteract scripture I (or other) non-Calvinists will offer.

After being here for 9 years I find it much easier to simply identify the faulty arguments with a summary bullet point. Why go through all the trouble of presenting my case for the ten-thousandth time only to get:

• THE WORD IN THAT VERSE ACTUALLY MEANS SOMETHING ELSE
• THAT VERSE IS TAKEN OUT OF CONTEXT
• THAT VERSE WAS NOT WRITTEN TO THE PEOPLE YOU ARE CLAIMING


because, obviously, I think that word means exactly what it says, I think my use of that verse IS in context, and I think that verse IS written to the people I am claiming.
 

37818

Well-Known Member
And who He foreknows are Jews. Gentiles were not elect in the beginning because they were not His people.
MB
Romans 8:29, ". . . For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. . . ." So then gentiles have no part of this
 

MB

Well-Known Member
Romans 8:29, ". . . For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. . . ." So then gentiles have no part of this
I do not believe so this is the election of the Jews. God did not foreknow the Gentiles. Though He knew of there presents.. He fore knew the Jews because the Jews are His people The brethren of Christ were the Jews. Not Gentiles. Why do you think that being a Gentile you have replaced the Jews? The Gentiles had no means of Salvation until after Christ had been crucified, buried, and, risen again. If God would have known us as He did the Jews then we would have been part of His plan for Salvation. Christ came to save His people the Jews not the Gentiles. The Gentiles didn't become eligible for Salvation until after the crucifixion burial and resurrection. The Gentiles became eligible when the Jews rejected Christ and God granted repentance to the Gentiles. I believe that Gentiles soon became Christians. Oh I believe there were some Gentiles that believed before this but they weren't saved until afterwards. The reason is there is no forgiveness of sins with out the shedding of blood.
MB
 

Iconoclast

Well-Known Member
Site Supporter
MB,


How is it that you think I don't understand?

Hello MB. I think this is fair for you to ask for clarification. You seem to think I am trying to demean you which is not my intent. I am going to try and do a few things on this post.

I am going to go back through this thread and list those statements you made that cause a reaction and suggest a lack of understanding. I will endeavor to show it clearly.
I will offer some helpful links to point in the direction of mainline thought on the topic.
I will continue to respond to any sincere questions you have. That's my plan.


Is it because I do not accept Calvinism as truth?

No. It is because you do not have a solid basic understanding of a substantial doctrine which is a blessing to the Church. That you do not believe what is known as Calvinism is a warning sign to me personally, but many are afflicted with that on BB, and in some of the churches.

Should I say you don't understand because you don't believe that man can reject Salvation or accept it? [/QUOTE]

MB....I do not believe in censorship at all. You have every right to offer such a thought about me.
I will only respond to biblical correction, however. I am going to offer you and George A, biblical correction which I would urge you to consider. The links I will post are very solid and I am confident you will not be able to refute them scripturally as I have posted them several times and usually the synergist in question runs for cover rather than making a failed attempt to refute or correct them



Now you may not believe this yet you understand it don't you. You either accept it as truth or you don't this not a matter of understanding but is a matter of choice of what you accept as truth.
I am taught by the Holy Spirit not by what I read here.

MB

Now MB you chided me to come down from my "high Horse" and yet now you post that you are taught by the "HOLY SPIRIT", not what you read here???
Everyone else is not taught by the Holy Spirit??? You alone have access to the Spirit?
Should I not post and just wait until the Holy Spirit Himself illumines you and offers correction?

I am going to take the chance that the Holy Spirit is not going to log in on BB, and offer teaching for you, so I will post instead.
 

InTheLight

Well-Known Member
Site Supporter
MB,
That you do not believe what is known as Calvinism is a warning sign to me personally, but many are afflicted with that on BB, and in some of the churches.

Non-calvinistic beliefs are "an affliction". Thank you for your diagnosis, Doctor Calvin.
 

Particular

Well-Known Member
No, my list is shorthand for describing Calvinist's cliched arguments about scripture, specifically #1, #2, and #3. Countless times Calvinists will argue some variation of these three points to lamely counteract scripture I (or other) non-Calvinists will offer.

After being here for 9 years I find it much easier to simply identify the faulty arguments with a summary bullet point. Why go through all the trouble of presenting my case for the ten-thousandth time only to get:

• THE WORD IN THAT VERSE ACTUALLY MEANS SOMETHING ELSE
• THAT VERSE IS TAKEN OUT OF CONTEXT
• THAT VERSE WAS NOT WRITTEN TO THE PEOPLE YOU ARE CLAIMING


because, obviously, I think that word means exactly what it says, I think my use of that verse IS in context, and I think that verse IS written to the people I am claiming.
So you don't or can't argue your point to show you have a valid interpretation and you simply lean on the crutch of your self made numbering system. Call me unimpressed.
 

Aaron

Member
Site Supporter
Non-scriptural, more-royal-than-the-King, falsely-humble, sanctimoniousness. This kind of stuff is smoke in God's nose.

Point is: so far you all agree - Jesus Christ is not God's criterion for election.

To prop up your great humility, you all ascribe to a blasphemous doctrine that has God choosing you apart from Christ as the reason for the choice. So much for our Lord Jesus Christ having the preeminence in all things - he certainly doesn't have it in election! But at least you're humble!
Praise you for your great humility! :Thumbsup
:Roflmao

Which, being interpreted, meaneth, "I have no rebuttal for your penetrating questions."

...you all ascribe to a blasphemous doctrine that has God choosing you apart from Christ as the reason for the choice...
:Laugh
Again, we don't share your meaning. You can throw the jargon, 'chosen in Christ' at there all you want. It's what you mean by it.
 
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